So many people have the experiences we had and it's quite sad that a kid has to learn things in this way...but I think it can be character building (was with me and I think you also) and that's a good thing. Does it have to happen that way? No. But the end point is the same either way and a person's life benefits from lessons learned.
Years ago, there was a 40th reunion. I was hoping a certain bully would turn up as I was adamant I was going to clonk him one. He didn't, and most of the former kids who were my 'enemies' were great and I talked to a lot of them. It's a though it never happened.
I don't go to reunions due to the experiences I had; I wonder if the same would happen? I had such bad experiences I guess I feel disinclined to expose myself to those people. Kudos for going though, and good that those people conveniently forgot their reprehensible behaviours.